Dean Selvey: "It was a fantastic performance"

Under-18s Coach Dean Selvey delivers an updates on the Bees' Youth Team

Dean Selvey's Under-18 side put consecutive defeats behind them in fine style on Saturday as they thumped Southend United 4-1 in the EFL Youth Alliance Under-18 South East Division.

The young Bees had been beaten by Stevenage and Cambridge United in their two previous fixtures but were back to their best to put the Essex side to the sword in convincing fashion.

Reflecting on the win, Selvey said: "We've had four or five games with up and down performances. We've had a lot of players moving into the Under-21s and players coming through. The results have shown that because they've been quite inconsistent.

"We went to Southend United at the weekend – almost exactly the same time as last year when we were on the back of three defeats and Southend were off the back of eight wins.

"It was a fantastic performance from the group. We had some boys back from the Under-21s and it was a really positive display of the counter attacking and intensity we are looking for."

Next up is a visit to The Hive from Gillingham on Saturday (kick-off 10.30am) and Selvey expects a tough battle against the Kent side after two goal-laden encounters last term.

"It's always a very physical game against Gillingham," he said. "Last year we drew 3-3 and had a positive performance away from home where we won 3-1. We scored a couple of our best goals of the season there last year.

"When they came here it was torrential rain and it was a horrible day. We were 2-0 down, got back to 2-2, they went 3-2 ahead and we equalised in the 90th minute.

"Nana Kyei ran through and banged one into the corner and everyone was off diving into the corner. It was a brilliant game to be a part of."